Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, the former Hollywood power couple, are embroiled in a legal dispute over the ownership and control of their French vineyard, Chateau Miraval. New documents have emerged, alleging that Pitt looted the winery’s assets in an attempt to maintain control of the property following their divorce.
According to filings obtained by CNN and the Financial Times, Jolie’s former investment firm Nouvelle, which previously held her stake in the winery, is seeking $350 million in damages. They claim that Pitt masterminded a so-far-successful plan to seize de facto control of Chateau Miraval. The documents further accuse Pitt of wasting the company’s assets on vanity projects, including swimming pool renovations, rebuilding a staircase multiple times, and restoring a recording studio at a cost of millions of dollars.
Lawyers representing Nouvelle argue that Pitt’s alleged misconduct escalated after Jolie sold her stake in the investment firm in October 2021. They claim that Pitt, angered by the fact that Jolie sold Nouvelle to someone other than him, has refused to treat the firm as an equal partner in the business.
The legal battles between Pitt and Jolie have been ongoing, with the ownership and control of Chateau Miraval being a central issue. In February 2022, Pitt filed a lawsuit alleging that Jolie’s sale of the winery was illegitimate, claiming that they had agreed not to sell the property without mutual consent. However, Jolie countered this claim, stating that no such agreement had been reached. She explained that she sold her share of the winery to achieve financial independence from Pitt and find closure for herself and their children after a difficult chapter in their lives.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were together for over 12 years and officially divorced in 2019. They share six children, three of whom were adopted from orphanages in Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam. The couple’s legal battle demonstrates the complexities that can arise when high-profile individuals with significant assets decide to end their relationship.
The outcome of this legal dispute remains uncertain, as both parties present their arguments and seek a resolution. The allegations of looting and lavish spending by Pitt shed light on the challenges faced by individuals when attempting to untangle their personal and financial lives after a high-profile divorce. As this case continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of carefully considering and protecting shared assets when a relationship comes to an end.
